Jonas Wærn

Carl Jonas Wærn (23 July 1915 – 6 November 2003) was a Swedish Army officer best known for having commanded Swedish, Irish, and Indian peacekeeping troops during the Congo Crisis. He also commanded Swedish forces in Cyprus in 1964. Wærn is one of only two Swedish officers (the other being Brigadier General Jan-Gunnar Isberg) who have served as brigade commanders in combat under the auspices of the United Nations. Later, he served as aide-de-camp to King Gustaf VI Adolf and as cabinet chamberlain.

Wærn embarked on a military career beginning in 1936, eventually becoming a captain in the Värmland Regiment by 1945. Throughout World War II, he served as a ranger platoon leader at the Norway–Sweden border. His military assignments ranged from deputy military attaché in Copenhagen to commanding battalions in the Congo during the early 1960s as part of the United Nations Operation. After his service in the Congo, he continued his career in various roles, including commander of the Swedish UN Battalion in Cyprus. Wærn's leadership style was noted for its emphasis on treating soldiers with care and respect. He chronicled his experiences in books such as Katanga and Cyprus, which contributed to his recognition as a significant military figure in Sweden.

Early life Wærn was born on 23 July 1915 in Spånga, Sweden, the son of lawyer Olof Wærn and the journalist (née Rehn). He passed studentexamen in 1934. During World War II he served as a ranger platoon leader at the Norway–Sweden border. He was promoted to captain in Värmland Regiment in 1945, and attended the Royal Swedish Army Staff College in 1947. Wærn served as deputy military attaché in Copenhagen in 1948 and as second teacher at the Swedish Infantry Combat School the same year. Wærn attended the School of Infantry in Warminster, England in 1950 and served in the Värmland Regiment (I 2) in 1951.

Wærn (far left) when Major General Curt Göransson salute the Swedish flag on his arrival in Élisabethville, Congo.

Wærn held an acting rank of colonel and served as commander of the XII K Battalion from June 1961 to December 1961 and of the XIV K Battalion from December 1961 to May 1962 in Congo. At the same time, he was brigade commander of the Swedish, Indian and Irish troops in southern Katanga, which was part of the United Nations Operation in the Congo (ONUC) from June 1961 to May 1962. Back in Sweden, Wærn served as section chief of the staff of the IV Military District in 1962. Wærn served as commander of the Swedish UN Battalion in Cyprus in 1964, part of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP). He then served as infantry commander of the Stockholm Coastal Artillery Defence (Stockholms kustartilleriförsvar) in 1966.

Later life Wærn continued serving as aide-de-camp in His Majesty's Military Staff until 1973. In 1974 he was appointed cabinet chamberlain. Wærn continued to be active at the court as governor of Gripsholm Castle and Strömsholm Palace from 1975 to 1983. In 1976 he received a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Personal life In 1939, Wærn married the royal housekeeper Lissie Ehnström (1916–2012), the daughter of Axel Ehnström and Stina Larsdotter. He was the father of Stina (born 1942), Olof (born 1944), Peder (1950–1998), and Lotta (born 1957). He was interred on 12 December 2003 in the family grave at Norra begravningsplatsen in Solna Municipality.

Dates of rank ???? – Second lieutenant ???? – Lieutenant 1945 – Captain 1956 – Major 1962 – Lieutenant colonel 1961 – Colonel (acting rank)

Awards and decorations

Swedish

Värmland Officers Association's Silver Medal (Värmlands befälsförbunds silvermedalj) Army Shooting Medal (Arméns skyttemedalj)

Foreign

Italian Red Cross' Silver Medal